Comments | pointedview: Finished Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

pointedview

Finished Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Jul 24, 2005 22:43

Just a few scattered impressions, as I'm a bit spacy right now. Y'see, I started at about 11 pm last night and finished up around 6 am this morning, then got about four hours of sleep before having to get up to head to my sister's for lunch.

( Scattered impressions and major spoilers beyond this cut )

harry potter, books, symbolism

Comments 13

freakyferret July 25 2005, 02:51:26 UTC

* Sees post. Sees spoiler warning. Gives you a hug but doesn't read a word of it otherwise!*

I don't plan to read the book, but I do plan to see the movie eventually. I don't want to spoil that.

pointedview July 25 2005, 03:37:09 UTC

*huggles* Ferret, sugar! *beams*

And you're smart not to spoil yourself with information from the books, then. Most definitely.

sailormur July 25 2005, 12:00:04 UTC

Snape has to die in book 7. Otherwise, when Voldemort is defeated, where can he go? He killed Dumbledore, and even if acting on D's orders, no one is going to forgive him that.

I noticed Harry, however, failed to fulfill his promise, as Dumbledore ordered him to kill him while drinking the potion, and he did not.

The one thing that really bugged me was that Spiderman thing at the end with Harry and Ginny. That was just dumb. I wonder how she feels that Hermione and Ron are always by his side, but she's not going to be (not that I don't think she's going to fight this).

Husband pointed out one thing about Malfoy and love - he has something Harry and Voldy didn't have - parents who love him. (or at least his mom).

Anyway. Fun to speculate, and years to wait...

pointedview July 25 2005, 16:38:20 UTC

Writer that you are, you're probably right, though I think Snape deserves a little peace and happiness after all of this. I think he's paid for his time as a Death Eater ( ... )

trikegirl July 25 2005, 13:37:39 UTC

(Hi, I'm Ryn, cryptonaut's wife.)

One other thing that I'd throw into the mix is the Polyjuice Potion. It's mentioned several times throughout the book, and we see the Weasleys exchanging passwords. Maybe it wasn't Snape. Maybe it wasn't Dumbledore. Although I do like the idea of Dumbledore rising from the ashes, phoenix-like.

pointedview July 25 2005, 18:43:58 UTC

First, a warm welcome to you, and thank you for visiting my journal and taking the time to comment. :)

You're right, it was definitely mentioned several times. I have to wonder, though . . . if it wasn't Snape, then who was it? And if not Dumbledore, well, where did he go? Someone got buried.

I do think the Polyjuice potion will be used, or perhaps already has been used without our being aware of it. However, the only problem I have with this theory is that I cannot think of anyone appropriate to step into the shoes of either role, someone close enough to the scenario to be apprised of the plot and serve as the fall guy. I can't think of anyone who would fit -- maybe I'm overlooking someone obvious. However, Rowling could surprise us.:)

goodjoan July 25 2005, 15:46:02 UTC

You make a good point about the wide open eyes! When you consider that Snape spent all term teaching *silent* spellcasting, and told Harry, as he was running away, he would never get anywhere until he learned to close his mouth, perhaps he cast a silent spell first before faking the lethal one?

I agree that Snape is probably more good than we are allowed to see. By killing DD in Dracos place, he not only sealed his cover with V but saved Draco from fracturing his own soul and possibly forced him off the road to ruin.

When I first finished it I was a little let down as it was a slower book than the other and seemingly not as content heavy but as I think about it, it's probably the most subtle and adult book yet! So much going on behind the story!

pointedview July 25 2005, 18:49:26 UTC

I think you might really have something there with the silent spellcasting. Good thinking!

I think this one is my favorite one since Azkaban. I quite liked it.

After writing my thoughts up, I went prowling around for other discussion on the book. Some folks are suggesting that R.A.B. is Regulus Black, one of Sirius Black's relatives, and indeed, there is apparently evidence to suggest this given a locket that was mentioned in Order of the Phoenix.

It's hard to wait for the next book.

comment 1 lsbd33 July 25 2005, 17:07:48 UTC

Finally!!! someone else (whose opinion I care about) has finished the book ( ... )

Re: comment 1 pointedview July 27 2005, 19:02:36 UTC

* The margin writing thing. Now that David's finished it, I asked him to verify, as my resident INTJ: "Sweetheart, did you ever write in the margins of your textbooks?" "No." "Okay, that's what I thought ( ... )